Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans have reason to celebrate as star batter Shreyas Iyer is geared up to reclaim the captaincy in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The right-handed maestro, sidelined by a back issue that kept him out of action for the entire 2023 IPL season and the subsequent World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final, made a triumphant return during the ICC Cricket World Cup, emerging as India’s third-highest run-scorer with an impressive 530 runs.

During Iyer’s absence in the previous IPL season, Nitish Rana admirably donned the captain’s hat for the two-time champions. Now, Rana is all set to support Iyer as his deputy in the much-awaited 17th edition of the lucrative league. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

KKR’s CEO, Venky Mysore, expressed delight at Iyer’s return, highlighting the batter’s resilience in recovering from the injury and showcasing exceptional form during his recent outings. He commended Nitish Rana’s commendable leadership in the interim role last season and expressed gratitude for Rana’s willingness to support Iyer in the upcoming campaign.

Shreyas Iyer, in turn, lauded Nitish Rana for his leadership stint in 2023 and expressed his joy at Rana’s appointment as the vice-captain. Recognizing the challenges faced in the previous season, Iyer acknowledged Rana’s pivotal role not only in filling his shoes but also in displaying commendable leadership qualities.

The Shahrukh Khan-owned franchise, despite missing the playoffs in the last edition, exhibited glimpses of brilliance, notably in their showdown against the 2022 champions Gujarat Titans. It was a game that etched itself in cricketing memory when KKR’s middle-order batter Rinku Singh unleashed a breathtaking innings of 48* off 21 balls in the final over, securing an exhilarating win against the Titans led by Hardik Pandya.

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming IPL season, the return of Shreyas Iyer at the helm promises a resurgence for KKR, while Nitish Rana’s unwavering support as the vice-captain aims to strengthen the team’s leadership core. Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the duo’s partnership in steering KKR to new heights in the exhilarating cricketing extravaganza that is the IPL. Get free cricket betting tips from Nextbet.